Womad 2001

The weather gods smiled on Womad 2001 as the temperatures that hit this year’s festival provided the perfect setting for some sizzling acts from around the world.

The reggae beats, the sound of tribal drums and some of the most technically gifted acoustic guitar playing were all on show across seven stages.

Makana, a young Hawaiian playing the main stage on Friday, was the first to catch the eye.

Singing ancient stories from his native island aided only by an acoustic guitar, he managed to perform a one-hour set while making his guitar sound like a five piece band. A rare talent.

Cara Dillon, a Celtic Tori Amos, performed in the awe-inspiring Crystal Palace arena.

The Palace is a big top tent surrounded by mirrors on the inside and a giant chandelier hanging over the middle and Dillon gave one of the best performances of the festival.

Dillon’s haunting Irish melodies sent shivers up the spine as she and her two co-guitarists performed a set of real class.

But the highlight of the festival was the Italian Eugenio Bennato and Musicanova.

Bennato, a composer and songwriter for nearly 30 years, surrounded himself with Italy’s most promising teenage musicians and executed an hour-long set of 10-minute tracks, each weaved with acoustic guitar breaks, drum solos and soaring vocals towards an amazing climax.

All who observed this band on the main stage screamed and cheered in unison, as they witnessed one of the best sets Womad has ever seen. Damon Tennant